Gold Coast artists and venues shine among the 2026 Queensland Music Awards finalists
The Gold Coast music scene is making serious noise in this year’s Queensland Music Awards (QMAs), with a strong showing of local artists, venues and music industry players landing spots among the 2026 finalists.
Presented annually by QMusic, the Queensland Music Awards celebrate outstanding musical talent from across the state, recognising artists, songwriters, venues and industry figures who are shaping Queensland’s contemporary music landscape.
And this year, the spotlight is swinging south. This year’s finalists highlight the continued growth and influence of the Gold Coast’s music scene, with local creatives and venues featured across a diverse range of genre and industry categories.
Congratulations to the Gold Coaster’s recognised as finalists:
- Rock Category – Finalist: SELVE ‘Breaking Into Heaven’
- Soul/Funk/R’n’B Category – Finalist: TANISHA ‘Satisfy’
- Video Award – Loki Liddle & Joshua Tate for Selve’s ‘Breaking Into Heaven’
- Jazz Award – Finalists: Songwriters Josh Beattie & Amela Duheric for ‘Bubble’ by Dami Im & Rick Best for ‘The Piper at the Gates’ with Sweet Thunder Jazz Orchestra
- Producer of the Year – Finalists: Josh Beattie & Luke Palmer
- People’s Choice Award: Regional Venue of the Year – Finalists: Miami Marketta & Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
- People’s Choice Award: Festival of the Year – Finalist: SUNDOWN
- Accessible & Inclusive Venue of the Year finalist – Finalist: Den Devine
- Folk Category – Finalist: Meg Washington who recently started calling the Gold Coast home
Alongside the category announcements, QMusic has also revealed the finalists for its four scholarship programs, designed to support Queensland artists and music professionals at pivotal moments in their careers. Several Gold Coast artists have been recognised across the scholarship categories, including:
- Carol Lloyd Scholarship – Finalist: Lyric
- Dennis ‘Mop’ Conlon Scholarship – Finalist: Sunny Luwe
- Grant McLennan Fellowship – Finalist: Ella Fence
The scholarships provide crucial support for artists looking to invest in recording, touring, mentoring and professional development, helping Queensland creatives take the next step in their careers.
The QMAs are coming to the Gold Coast!
The Queensland Music Awards also announced that they’re hitting the road and bringing the QMAs to the Gold Coast; the first time the QMAs will be hosted outside of Brisbane.
The ceremony will bring together artists, industry professionals and music fans from across the state to Miami Marketta on Wednesday 22 April to celebrate this year’s winners.
Congratulations to all the finalists representing the Gold Coast music community!
Have we missed someone repping the Gold Coast as a QMA finalist? Let us know if we’ve overlooked some local talent.